Sixteen-year-old Erin Jamieson was the winner of both the "Music Artist Talent Search" and the "Songwriter Competition" with her song, Hope for the Broken at the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival on August 6 through 11, 2011. Erin won a recording contract with Lamon Records in Nashville.

Since Erin is still a teenager, we felt an interview with her would be a good way to get to know her and find out how she came to this point in her life and what she sees in her future.

You can follow Erin on her Facebook fan page: http://www.erinjamieson.com/home.cfm

Erin, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you spend your time. I am a high school student in Maple Grove, Minnesota who also spends lots of time writing songs and singing. Most days I spend at school just like any other high-schooler. I have to make time for my music in the midst of homework and extra curricular activities. If I have an idea for a song, sometimes I have to decide between doing my homework or pushing it back an hour to write a song. (Most of the time I choose to write the song. I can’t abandon a good idea once I have one).

What led you to realize you wanted to devote your time to music? I have always loved to sing. I started writing songs when I was 9 and just did it because I loved it. Pretty soon I started getting good at it. The more I did it, the better I got at it and the more I loved it. I started feeling that God was leading me towards a career in music. God has put various opportunities in front of me that have allowed me to follow that passion.

Did you have any heroes or mentors in the music industry that you admired? I had many people in my life who helped me grow in my music. One of them being my Worship Pastor at my church. I always looked up to her and how she used her gifts.

What type of education or training have you had? I took piano lessons for 8 or 9 years. Learning chords and theory was a key in the development of my songwriting. I have had a voice coach for 3 years. I have also participated in some dance classes as well as a couple of summer theatre and music camps. This year I attended All-State Choir camp.

What do you love most about music and performing? I love that my music allows me to get my ideas across without ever having to say a word. I love writing songs and hearing that other people can relate to them or find some hope in what I say. That is the best part, getting to help other people feel things through my music.

Are there parts of the business that are not so much fun? The business side of the music is hard. All of the things that go in to touring and getting your music published and out there and putting up fan pages and blogs. That stuff is somewhat stressful to me. I wish I could just write music and sing and that was all I had to do but there is so much more to it than that.

What advice would you give to other teenagers wanting to get into the music industry? Keep writing, keep singing, keep improving. Do whatever you can to become the best you can be. Get your stuff out there and try to get feedback. Ask people with music backgrounds to critique your work. Most of all, keep yourself in check. Never let yourself think that any of the talents you have came from yourself. God gave you all of your gifts to use for his purposes. Use your gifts wisely and carefully so that you can guide people towards Christ.

How does writing and performing music allow you to use your God-given gifts? God has given me great gifts to communicate my feelings and struggles through music. He has allowed me to share my songs with people who have been touched by the words and music. God can speak to people through music and I think he uses me to speak to people and give them hope.

 Do you have any hobbies or off-hour pursuits? I spend a lot of my time at school doing musicals or drama related things. I love theater and choir, and I am very involved in my school music department.

What are your plans going forward? After I graduate in 2013, I'm hoping to go to Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and study vocal performance.

God bless you, Erin. Thanks for the interview, and please keep us informed about your career.